Agnese Zariņa

Agnese Zariņa serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and Microbiology at Riga Stradins University's Faculty of Medicine in Latvia. She has been affiliated with RSU since 2006, initially working as a laboratory assistant before progressing through academic ranks to her current position. Dr. Zariņa also maintains a scientific collaboration with RSU's Scientific Laboratory of Molecular Genetics.

Her primary research focuses on identifying genetic factors that influence the clinical course of monogenic liver diseases including Wilson disease, Gilbert syndrome, Hereditary haemochromatosis, and Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency. She also conducts population genetics research using uniparental markers (mtDNA and Y chromosome) to study Latvian population structure. Her scholarly work demonstrates a strong emphasis on molecular diagnostics and genetic epidemiology of liver disorders in the Latvian population.

Dr. Zariņa's publication record shows consistent research output with a concentration on Wilson disease genetics, particularly examining ATP7B gene mutations and their clinical implications. Her work bridges clinical medicine with molecular genetics, contributing to improved diagnostic protocols for genetic liver disorders. She has also explored connections between different genetic liver conditions and their interactions with viral hepatitis.

• Award (3rd place) at 4th Baltic Sea Region Conference in Medical Sciences, research 'High frequency of Wilson Disease and new mutations found in Latvia' (Warsaw)

As an educator, Dr. Zariņa teaches Medical Genetics for the Faculty of Dentistry and Molecular Biology and Genetics for the Faculty of Medicine. She has supervised multiple study courses including Biology, Biology and Genetics, Biology and Medical Genetics, and Cytology and Genetics. Her professional memberships include the Latvian Association of Human Genetics (since 2016) and the Latvian Medical Association (since 2013).